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Patient information leaflet on mastoid surgery risks: assessment of readability and patient understanding

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2013

M B Pringle ,
B G Natesh  and
K M Konieczny
M B Pringle*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, UK
B G Natesh
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Poole Hospital, UK
K M Konieczny
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Mike Pringle, FRCS (ORL) Consultant ENT Surgeon, ENT Department, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK Fax: +44 (0)2392 286 708 E-mail: mike.pringle@porthosp.nhs.uk
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Abstract

Introduction:

It is important that patients have a good understanding of surgery-related risks, particularly for mastoid surgery, which exposes patients to the risk of very serious complications, despite addressing conditions which often have only minor symptoms.

Materials and methods:

A patient information leaflet describing the risks of mastoid surgery was prepared. However, the Hospital Patient Advice and Liaison Services team thought it was too long and complicated. It was introduced unchanged. Fifty-four consecutive mastoidectomy patients were given a questionnaire asking for their opinion of the leaflet. The leaflet was also assessed with readability formulae and the Ensuring Quality Information for Patients tool.

Results and analysis:

Ninety-eight per cent of respondents thought the leaflet's writing style was easy to understand. The majority (96 per cent) thought the length was ‘just right’. The 7 readability formulae used established readability at a grade 9 level (i.e. appropriate for a reading age of 13–15 years). The Ensuring Quality Information for Patients score was 87.5 per cent.

Discussion:

Despite the drive to simplify patient information leaflets, quite detailed information is sometimes required. A style which is too simple may be perceived as patronising and may encourage patients to underestimate potential risks. It is important to ask patients their opinion.

Keywords

Otologic Surgical ProceduresMastoidInformed ConsentInformed Consent DocumentsReadability
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 11 , November 2013 , pp. 1078 - 1083
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the 14th British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology, 4–6 July 2012, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

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